Rick WalkerPrivate Investigator

A series of novels by G.E. Nordell

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp The fictional character of Rick Walker, private investigator, exists in the milieu of Fifties L.A. noir, as epitomized by Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe detective character. The rules are the same – 'a man who down these mean streets must go', ..the fedora, ..the irony – with the addition of Rick's love for the developing West Coast jazz scene, expressed as a serviceable and in-demand semi-pro musician, playing both the tenor and alto saxophone.

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Rick grew up in Northern California, the son of the manager of the local lumberyard. After a single year of college, he was swept up in the fervor surrounding WWII, becoming a lieutenant in intelligence behind the lines in Europe for Patton's Third Army.
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Like Marlowe, Rick's post-war stint as an investigator in the Los Angeles D.A.'s office ended badly and soon: both were discharged for insubordination, though both held the moral high ground.
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Rick's career as a private investigator crept along until his bold solution of the Updike case, wherein he recovered several stolen works of art; the visibility of that case – and its daring – made his reputation.

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp In March 2005 the first book about Rick Walker's exploits, "Backlot Requiem", was published {see below} in hardcover & paperback & ebook editions, with other novels in the series planned to follow. In September 2005, the Croation-language edition of "Backlot Requiem" was published. And in July 2011, the novel was converted to Kindle format and made available at Amazon (also below).

When a long-buried body is discovered at National Pictures Studios, private investigator Rick Walker is called in to identify it. His investigation leads toa thirty-year-old murder case, a dying film director and his wild daughters, a legendary film star of the Silent Era, local gangsters, and a very discreet love affair.

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp You captured the noir feel excellently and it kept me glued to the pages. It was fun that it was located in old L.A. and I had fun picturing the places in my mind and hoping to get by some of them to see what's there now.&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp All the best, George S.

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp To borrow from the title of an old radio drama series, I love a mystery, and this one is short and sweet. Move over Raymond Chandler, [G.E.] Nordell's Rick Walker, P.I. has taken center stage.&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp review by Tom Elliott in July 2006 Mensa Bulletin